Lauri has more than a decade of experience in corporate law, with an emphasis on labor and employment and construction law.   Much of her experience was gained while serving as Assistant General Counsel and Director of Public Relations for a major aggregates company.  Lauri began her mediation career in 2003, as a volunteer for Nashville Conflict Resolution Center.  In 2008, Lauri began her own legal and mediation practice, ChaudoinLaw, to help both businesses and individuals find focused legal solutions.  She earned her J.D. at Vanderbilt University School of Law, and her B.A. in Communications at Belmont University. Prior to attending law school, Lauri was Associate Producer of News at Nashville’s NBC affiliate, WSMV.  Lauri serves as Chair of TAPM’s Public Education & Marketing Committee. 

What is in your mediator tool kit? What is your favorite or most used tool? My favorite tool is the hypothetical. When the parties have given up hope in settlement, and make the standard comment, “I’m not going to bid against myself,” a hypothetical settlement discussion can bring them back to the table. It’s the idealist in me – trying to help them visualize themselves at peace. 

 

If you were a superhero/mediator what would be your name and slogan? I think a good name would be Mighty Mediator (like Mighty Mouse, not like “High and Mighty”), with a slogan of, “Peace Rocks!” I recently bought a shirt with this slogan at my daughters’ favorite tween store, and wore it to the TAPM Public Education and Marketing Committee, with the suggestion that this be the “Got Milk?” slogan for TAPM. I was only half-kidding!

 

What is your pet peeve?   It’s complicated. Ordering Diet Coke at the drive-through window, then finding out after driving away that I received regular Coke. That and June bugs. 

 

Are you married/do you have kids/pets etc? I am married to Danny, my high school sweetheart, who is a firefighter in Nashville. We live out in the country (Joelton) with our daughters Hannah (9) and Olivia (7) and our son Lane (2 ½). As far as pets, we have a dog, a cat, and whatever critter we are hosting for the evening. We like to research on the internet whatever animal we catch, then let it go. Currently, we’re hosting a baby ringneck snake. We’ve also hosted different types of frogs and lizards, and an injured bird. 

What are your hobbies?    I started out as a music major, so I love to sing. I lead the worship and teach in our Kids Church at 24 Church in Pleasant View. I also love spending time with my kids, having spa days on the front porch, going roller skating, fishing, camping, and visiting the Smoky Mountains – we love Dollywood! I also have a new hobby now of attending softball practices and games – go Pink Panthers!

 

Why did you become a mediator? From the time I was a small child, I was always the playground peacemaker (with everyone except my own sister, of course!). I simply could not stand it when two of my classmates, friends, or family members were not getting along. Many who knew me as a child simply could not imagine that I had become an attorney, a career that thrives on controversy.   Several years ago, I was drawn to mediation from a Biblical standpoint. I became involved as a volunteer at Nashville Conflict Resolution Center, and knew that one day I would love to be a professional mediator. When I left my in-house law position of nine years to start my own law practice, it was my chance to focus on this goal. I find extreme satisfaction when my day starts with, “There’s no way this will ever settle, we’re just here because of the judge,” and ends with “Here is your copy of the agreement.”

 

What is your favorite mediation read? Since I have a relatively new private practice, I have found inspiration in Tammy Lenski’s “Making Mediation Your Day Job.”

 

What is your phobia? College tuition for three children.  

 

What is your favorite vacation spot? We love the beach and the mountains. We go back and forth between Florida, Alabama, and East Tennessee. I also love some Disney World every now and then!

 

Personal or professional accomplishments you are particularly proud of: I am happy that I took the leap of faith to leave a secure, direct-deposit corporate job and jump into the world of self-employment. I view this as both a personal and professional accomplishment; it has helped me to find more balance in my family life, while bringing me professional satisfaction at the same time. It has also been a great learning experience for my daughters, who both say they want to be their own boss someday!

 

Where are you from and how did you end up in Nashville? I spent my childhood in the thriving metropolis of Choctaw, Oklahoma. That is where I gained my appreciation for rock collections, hiking through the woods, and 4-H blue ribbons – and my respect for tornados. My family moved to Nashville in the mid-80’s when the bottom fell out of the oil industry. They sold everything they had to bring their four daughters to Nashville for better work opportunities and a better life. That’s where I gained my appreciation for the sacrifices it takes to be a good parent. 

 

 

“I have a burning desire to… say I’m only 28 and try out for American Idol. Shhhhhhh.”

 

“People tell me I look like… my mother, whom they usually think is my sister!”

 

“If I could have a 30 minute conversation with anyone (alive or otherwise, famous or not), I would want to speak with the real Proverbs 31 Woman – how did she do it all?”

 

What is your favorite TV show? Ghost Hunters

 

What is your favorite food/restaurant? Japanese hibachi, Mikado’s in South Nashville. Also, the Mad Platter in Germantown.

 

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint chocolate chip.

 

Knowing what you now know about life etc., would you choose the same career path? If not, what would you like to do? I love where I am right now professionally. I don’t believe in taking a set “career path”. What brings us professional fulfillment will change as we change. For this reason, we should stop periodically, take a look around, and ask the question, “Am I where I am meant to be?” If not, we should take the steps to get there. By doing this, I have no regrets about my professional choices. All of my experiences have built upon each other to give me the skills and abilities that I have today – from the first job at McDonalds, to TV news, to the law firm, to the corporate law department, to solo law practitioner and mediator.